Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-09-29
A DOWNING CONVENTION.
The Condition of Affairs Consid-
ered-Resolutions Adopted.

ered-Resolutions Adopted.
A convention of the Downing
party composed of delegates from
the several districts of the nation,
called by Samuel Smith, chairman
of the national executive commit
tee, was held on Grand river, in
Cooweescoowee district, on the 21st
inst. The object was to take into
consideration the state of the
country and to consider rumors of
fraud and corruption of the Ma
tional party during the late elect
ion, and the unlawful opening OF
the election returns since they
came into the hands of the princi-
pal chief.
Mr.. John Wickliffe, of Saline
district, was unanimously elected
president and Henry Eiffert, OF
Cooweescoowee was chosen secre-
tary.
On motion the chairman ap-
pointed a committee of eighteen
(Illinois and Sequoyah being with
out representation alternates from
other districts were appointed to
represent them) TO draw up Teso-
lntions expressive of the senti-
ments of the Downing party con-
cerning the crisis that overshad-
ows the land. After a recess of
three hours, the committee on res
olutions reported the following and
asked that they be adopted by the
convention:
WHEREAS, II is rumored, and
generally believed, that the cleo
ton rolls have been tampered with
since they have come into posses
sion Of the principal chief and
WHEREAS, That such unlawful
handling of the election rolls can
be Tor no other purpose than TO
seat three senators and three coun-
eilors who were lawfully defeated
at the late election in Cooweescoo-
wee, Delaware, Tahlequah and
Goingsnake districts and thereby
through such fraud. give the
National party a majority vote in
the organization Of the national
council; that no other conclusion
can be reached is evident from
the following statement of facts /:
At the late election in Cooweescoo-
wee district Abe Ketchum and
Arch Nelms received 5SS votes
each, thereby making tie. No
proclamation for a new election
has been issued, Notwithstanding
the fact has been notorious for more
than fifty days and
WHEREAS, From the express
ions of some Of the leading men Of
the National party, the people are
led TO believe that their will ex-
pressed in the late election by
choosing Joel B. Mayes and Sam
uel Smith to the chief executive
offices Of the Cherokee nation will
be defeated by a fraudulent count
of the votes and the seating of the
defeated candidates and
WHEREAS, These practices are
creating alarm throughout the
country which il continued may
result in revolution and political
ruin of the Cherokee nation and
WHEREAS, We believe that Joel
b. Mayes and Samuel Smith have
been duly and lawfully elected
principal and assistant principal
chief of this nation, therefore be it
Res0lOsd, That the Downing
party desires peace and good will
among the people of the Cherokee
nation and will do all in its power
TO preserve them, but il will not
sacrifice honor and the rights
guaranteed to the people under the
laws and constitution and be it
further
Resolped, That the National
party had among its adherents
every district clerk of the Chero-
kee nation and these clerks had
the appointment Of every Judge
and clerk who conducted the late
election. therefore that party is
responsible for its being conduct
ed properly and the attempt 10
stifle the voice Of the people as
expressed at the polls because Of
the neglect of the foresworn judg-
es to sign some Of the rolls
will not be tolerated for
that would be 10 declare that
when the people had voted con-
trary TO the desire Of perjured
Judges or clerks the same judges
or clerks could set aside the cleo
ti0n. Reiterating our beliefs that
Joel b. Mayes aud Samuel Smith
have been elected principal and
assistant principal chief We invite
an good citizens TO take all lawful
means 10 place them in the Offices
70 which they were elected, and
let il be known that any attempt
BY traitors at home, stimulated by
lio money Of cattle syndcaies
broad, aud the hope of a speedy